Things to Do in Orlando With Kids (Besides the Parks)

A Disney vacation typically means three to six days at the parks — but Central Florida has a lot more going on than most families realize until they’re already there. We host vacation homes near the Walt Disney World gates and watch this play out every week: one morning at Gatorland, an afternoon on Lake Toho, or a full day at Kennedy Space Center resets kids’ energy in a way another park day can’t. Here are the best things to do in Orlando with kids that have nothing to do with a Magic Kingdom ticket.

If you’re still figuring out your home base, see where to stay near Disney World for a comparison of vacation homes, Disney resorts, and hotel options. And if you want the local Kissimmee guide — Old Town, airboats, water parks, all in one place — things to do in Kissimmee is the companion to this one.

Quick picks by kid age

Toddlers and preschoolers: Gatorland, Island H2O Water Park, Old Town Kissimmee, Fun Spot America.
Elementary-school ages: LEGOLAND Florida, Discovery Cove, Kennedy Space Center, Gatorland, airboat tours.
Tweens and teens: Kennedy Space Center (genuinely impressive for all ages), SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove.
Mixed ages: Most of this list works across age groups. Discovery Cove and Kennedy Space Center especially.

Gatorland

The easiest win on this list. Gatorland sits on the US-192 corridor in Kissimmee — roughly 10–20 minutes from most vacation homes near Disney — and it’s the most authentically Floridian hour you’ll spend all trip. Alligators and crocodiles, a bird rookery, live shows, and a zipline over the gator marsh if your crew is feeling brave. It’s a half-day attraction at most, it runs well under theme-park ticket prices, and kids are genuinely riveted. Check current admission pricing at gatorland.com before you go.

LEGOLAND Florida

LEGOLAND is about 45 minutes west of Disney World in Winter Haven — worth the drive for families with kids roughly ages 2–12. The park is designed specifically for younger children in a way that Disney and Universal are not: rides are gentler, characters are LEGO-scaled and brick-focused, and the whole place moves at a less frantic pace. The water park portion is included with admission (seasonal — confirm current operating dates at legoland.com/florida). If your crew skews toward builders and brick fans, this is the day trip that will surprise you most.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

The best non-park day trip from the Disney area, about an hour east on the 528. Kennedy Space Center is genuinely awe-inspiring for anyone old enough to understand what a rocket is. The main visitor complex includes the Space Shuttle Atlantis (displayed suspended, as it appears in orbit), the original Saturn V rocket, an IMAX theater, and programming tied to actual upcoming launches. Older kids and adults will want most of a full day here; younger children may need an afternoon cutoff. Book online at kennedyspacecenter.com to get the best price and skip the ticket window.

Discovery Cove

An all-inclusive day resort near SeaWorld on International Drive — about 25–30 minutes from most Kissimmee rental homes. Discovery Cove limits attendance to keep it intentionally uncrowded. Admission includes a dolphin-swim experience, unlimited access to a tropical river and reef snorkel, bird feeding, and all food and drinks throughout the day. It’s one of the more expensive options on this list, but families consistently call it the highlight of their whole trip. Book well in advance at discoverycove.com; slots sell out, especially in summer.

SeaWorld Orlando

Sea turtles, penguins, dolphins, and coasters — SeaWorld is a full theme park with a strong animal-encounter layer, and it’s what sets it apart from pure thrill parks. Kids who love animals as much as rides will find a complete day here. It’s about 25–30 minutes from the Disney/Kissimmee area up International Drive. Check seaworld.com for current tickets and combo deals with Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park next door.

Airboat rides on Lake Tohopekaliga

Lake Toho is right in Kissimmee, and an airboat ride gives you wild Florida in 45 minutes — wind in your face, sawgrass marshes, herons, and a very good chance of spotting wild alligators in their actual habitat. Mornings are calmer on the water and cooler overall. Several operators run tours from the Kissimmee area; bring sun protection, and ask the operator about ear protection for young kids since airboats are loud. One of the most memorable two-hour spans of a Disney-area trip. Pairs perfectly with a Gatorland morning for a full “old Florida” day.

Fun Spot America

Fun Spot has two locations in the Orlando area: one on International Drive and one on US-192 in Kissimmee, close to most Disney-area vacation rentals. You’ll find go-karts, coasters, carnival rides, and an arcade — honest, pay-as-you-go fun without the full theme-park price tag. Good for a half-day, especially with kids who want to drive something. Check funspotattractions.com for current hours and pricing.

Island H2O Water Park

An app-connected modern water park at Sunset Walk in Kissimmee, right at the western end of the 192 corridor. Slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool in one compact, well-designed park. If your vacation rental has a pool but your kids want slides, this is the upgrade that doesn’t come with a Disney water-park price. Hours shift by season and some slides have operating restrictions — confirm at islandh2olive.com before you plan your day.

Tips for mixing park days and “off” days

The families who enjoy a Disney trip the most don’t go to the parks every single day. A rest-day pattern that works: Days 1–2 parks, Day 3 Gatorland or airboat tour, Days 4–5 parks, Day 6 LEGOLAND or Kennedy Space Center, Day 7 leisure and departure. The off-day resets kids’ patience and adults’ feet more reliably than any strategy inside the parks.

If you’re basing out of a vacation home with a kitchen, the break day is also the right time to restock. Knowing which grocery stores are closest and whether delivery works for your rental makes this painless — see our Kissimmee area guide for a breakdown of the neighborhoods and what’s nearby, or the grocery stores near Disney World guide for exact locations and delivery services.

FAQ

What is there to do in Orlando with kids besides Disney? Plenty. The best depends on age: LEGOLAND Florida is built for younger kids, Kennedy Space Center works for school-age children and adults, Discovery Cove is the splurge for animal-focused families, and airboat tours and Gatorland appeal to nearly everyone. For more low-key options close to your rental, things to do in Kissimmee covers Old Town, downtown Celebration, and other easy half-days.

How far is LEGOLAND from Disney World? LEGOLAND Florida is in Winter Haven, about 45–50 minutes west of the Disney World area depending on traffic. Plan an early departure to arrive for opening.

Can you do Kennedy Space Center in one day with kids? Yes. Plan 4–6 hours minimum; older kids and adults will want the full day. Book online at kennedyspacecenter.com to avoid the ticket window lines.

Is Discovery Cove appropriate for young children? Young children can enjoy the tropical river, bird aviary, and reef snorkel with a life jacket, but there are age and size requirements for the dolphin swim. Check current requirements at discoverycove.com before booking.

Do you need a car for these activities? Yes — public transit doesn’t connect any of these attractions to Kissimmee or Disney-area vacation homes in a practical way. If you’re on this side of Orlando, a rental car (or rideshare for shorter trips) is the assumption. That’s also one of the reasons our guests tend to stay in vacation homes rather than on-property resorts: the car’s already in the plan.